Taming Iguanas

[Cold Blooded]

I rescued an Iguana from a fair a couple weeks ago. And I might be a weenie but Im scared to death of him, he moves soo fast. And once I get him out of the cage he's whipping his tail around and trying to get out of my hands. Anyone have any advice on taming him?

[silke]

patience
a few weeks is still too soon
how old do you think he is?
hatchlings and juvis will remain skittish for quite some time
move slowly, speak softly and try to not come at him from above
find a food that he really likes (mine loves nasturtium) and feed him a bit whenever you see her so that he associates you with good stuff
some love starwberries, papaya is good, or mango - just make sure that you don't feed too much fruit (5% of diet)

[Lisa]

Banana is good too. When he takes it from you you'll swear he's saying "Give me my #*$@ing banana!"

[Iguanalady]

handle him daily. Give him a bath and sit with him and splash him and pet him. Take him with you on your shoulder when you go to get his food. If he is young it may take ages for him to get over this "freakishness" I find young males are often like that till they are about 2 or so. When he starts freaking out hold him so his arms and legs are pinned against his body and hang on until he stops. Never put him down unless he is behaving nicely (you dont want him to think that acting bad gets him put down). If he is a biter you need to control him by holding him around the back of the neck so he cant get you in his teeth. The absolute worst thing you can do is put him away and leave him alone out of fear. You will teach him to be worse. Be brave now while he is still small. Never let him on top of your head and never let him have a perch above your eye level. Don't let him have the run of the house. If he is out teach him rules like not curtain climbing....only let him in certain areas...you are the boss you make the rules.

Please feel free to email me with any questions you have amandaf@shaw.ca

Iguana behaviour is a hobby of mine

[eyespy]

Gentle and constant attention!!! Speak to him even when you are not handling him, always stop by to pet him if you are passing by, and hold him several times throughout the day. Let yourself be a part of his everyday surroundings.

Always have food handy, or a nice warm tubber so that you are the source of all good things! Try not to handle him without some pleasant experience offered.

If you have other herps, dogs or cats in the house, try to wash very thoroughly so you are not carrying their scent with you.

Take your ig on "tours" so that he can see many different things. Igs are very visually oriented and like a change of scenery. Make sure you are holding him securely or have him on a hip leash though cuz they bolt fast when startled.

Like Iguanalady says, be the boss now!! Just be a kind and gentle one.

[Cold Blooded]

im not so afraid of her now that i understand why she is acting this way more so than before. i rescued her from a fair with the hopes of finding a good home...it looks like his/her good home is with me...lol. we're gonna build a good big cage for it...(hopefully its a her) because she's in a tiny one right now :(. i would put her on my shoulder but she'll run, so for now its talking and feeding with warm baths. i really hope to form a bond with her though, they are such cool pets

[eyespy]

You'll get there, just remember that your ig has cold blood and you are warm!!! If nothing else, your ig will decide your skin temperature is very comfortable. ;)

All good things take time and igs are certainly good things. I was where you are back in June when I first rescued my little Amazon and now we are great buds. In a few short months I bet you'll be amazed at how far you've come.

PS -- blueberries and mango really helped me with the buddy thing

[Cold Blooded]

thanks, im still trying to find a food that she likes, she won't take anything out of my hand, she doesn't like grapes, she doesn't like pumpkin, she doesn't care for acorn squash, so today i tried apple...along with her greens of course.

[silke]

my ig loves red peppers, spaghetti squash, canteloupe and shredded carrots
he HATES baths so i mist him daily
gentle persistence
try to get a list of food with calcium to phosphorous ratios (Ca:P) as it should be as close to 2:1 as you can get it

[eyespy]

My Amazon will only eat out of my hand if I turn my head so I'm not staring like a predator. I've never yet been allowed to watch except out of the corner of my eye.

It's scary to look like a little string bean, everyone MUST want to eat you when you're just a defenseless little iglet.

[Tim Winegard]

One of my buddies has a 6 foot iguanna and if you don't start handling it from a little baby sometimes they can be cranky adults. But dont be put of by his aggresion.
GOod luck

[depressor86]

oh it takes a while to tame them, four months after everyday handling our iguana decided to shred up my hand with his back foot .. scratched it like a dog scratching an itch. he's better now though, living at my uncles ;)